When did your toddler start eating and not play in their food?

Question

also when did they start using a fork and spoon all the time

my toddler is a little of 2 and she still makes a huge mess and plays with her food

Answer 1

My son, 28 months, uses a fork and/or spoon about half of the time.  One quarter of the time he holds it in one hand and eats with the other, the other quarter he throws it on the floor and eats with his hands!

In the last month or so he does seem a lot more interested in eating his food rather than playing with it (he used to play with it first, then eat it).

I'm pretty sure there's a light at the end of the tunnel and they'll get it eventually!  

Answer 2

I did it until I was about 6, as well as my brother (who is two years younger than I am).

Answer 3

most rules about eating start a 2 ...just clap /smile / cheer when he

does the proper thing to do.

and firmly say No to the negative actions.

Believe me... by the time he graduates high school he have it down pat

Answer 4

Try giving her only a little bit at a time. At first she might play with it because she is curious and is exploring. Give her a little more and demonstrate eating the food with her, she is more likely to model you. It also might help to explain to her that it is meal time and this food is for eating, since some centers provide pudding and other food to play with and this could confuse her.

Make sure the spoon and fork are kid size and just give them to her at meal time. She may not hold it or use it right at first, but let her get familiar with it first. Again, modeling the correct way could be beneficial. If she is struggling a bit with using them, then assist her by putting the utensil in her hand and holding her hand as you move it to scoop up food and direct it into her mouth.

She will get the hang of it. All children develop at different times, so don't worry if you feel like other children her age are 'ahead' of her.

Answer 5

My son is 2 year old he uses his spoon and fork, there are sometime where he can't pick it up with his fork or spoon so he'll just use his hands, he doesn't really play with his food to be honest when he done he'll let us know and we'll keep his food on the table in case he decide to come back. The only problem we're having is sometime he get upset and throw his food on the floor, but that because we didn't "cheer" him like to cheer me with his cup and my cup or cheer our forks, even spoons.

Answer 6

We have a three-year-old, and he uses his fork and spoon most of the time, but not all the time!

If it's any consolation, they all do it!

Answer 7

my daughter is 15 months and she always holds one of here plastic spoons of forks when she eats and she tries to use it but often times ends up using her hands, although she doesn't really play with her food she eats till she is full then drops her plate on the floor